Senate candidate, Justice, releases statement accusing opponent and chamber of commerce of misleading the public

Press release from Dennis Justice’s senate campaign:

Dennis Justice, a Republican candidate for North Carolina Senate, has protested what he calls a willfully misleading political flyer from the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, and has therefore announced he will boycott the upcoming Henderson County Chamber forum on Tuesday, February 16.

His contention are two political flyers he received in the mail supporting Chuck Edwards, one of his opponents for State Senate. One is from the Edwards campaign, and one is from the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce. The flyers look remarkably similar, both having the same photo of Edwards at one of the McDonalds stores he owns. The caption on the Chamber’s flyer says, “Not authorized by any candidate.”

“Anyone with five brain cells knows that the State Chamber’s claim that their flyer is not authorized by Mr. Edwards is willfully misleading,” said Justice. “There is no sane way Mr. Edwards did not authorize in some form the Chamber’s flyer.”

“This stunt clearly shows they’ve already made up their minds, and that there is no point in going anyway, as the local Chamber is not going to endorse anyone against what the State Chamber wants.”

“For a non-profit to use member dues to pick the winners of a race without even a fair chance for all candidates to make their case is disgraceful. I have very real ideas to grow our economy with ultra-high-speed Internet, industrial hemp, concrete dome housing, and indoor farming on an industrial level, as well as very serious proposals supporting the proposed Ecusta Trail, but none of that will matter since the Chamber has already made up its mind.

The forum is now a ‘dog-and-pony show,’ creating the illusion of a real debate when the choice has already been made.”

“Until the State Chamber apologizes to the voters of this district for their willful misrepresentation, I will no longer participate in any local Chamber function. This includes unfortunately volunteering for work with the Asheville-Buncombe Regional Sports Commission, which meets at the Asheville Chamber. It’s not their fault of course, but enough is enough.”

“I do not want to hear ‘this is what is always done.’ That is the problem. When I am State Senator, I have to put my hand on the Bible and pledge to God to always tell the truth, knowing that if I do not, I am asking for God’s wrath to be poured on my head. For me to rescue people from their most desperate hour, they have to trust me.”

“This was not a mistake. This was a willful act to mislead.”

“I acknowledge some will be turned off by this, but they should be more turned off that the Establishment of both parties are playing the working class voters as fools. This shows why we need more working-class people in our General Assembly, as we are the ones who pay the bills and suffer the consequences of bad laws and programs.”

“When and only when the State Chamber apologizes publicly will I appear at future Chamber functions. But my absence at the upcoming forum, considering I will appear at every other one, should show you that I am a man of my word. I am a very valuable volunteer to the Asheville sports commission, who meets at the Asheville Chamber, so I have every reason to expect that apology comes quickly.”